Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced with community-based organizations, the Human Rights Commission, and the Office of Civic Engagement and Immigration Affairs the launch of the Equity and Immigrant Services Campaign, a multi-pronged effort for the continued support of immigration legal services.

This year, Mayor Lee dedicated $3.8 million to serve the legal needs of the City’s immigrant community. Following the presidential election, Mayor Lee met with many of the community-based organizations that serve San Francisco’s immigrants and heard the concerns and needs for more resources. These community-based organizations are the gateway for many families to get the services they need such as, legal representation, health care, and education. Subsequently, Mayor Lee moved forward with dedicating an additional $1.5 million on top of the $3.8 million already funded to expand and bolster immigration-related legal services in fiscal year 2016-2017. In total, Mayor Lee has pledged nearly 14 million dollars for immigration-related services over the next two years and has committed to increasing those funds if needed.

“San Francisco is a Sanctuary City and will not waiver in its commitment to protect the rights of all its residents,” said Mayor Lee. “This year’s 1.5 million dollars will be critical in expanding and bolstering the services our community-based organizations provide to support and protect our immigrant families.”

Mayor Lee announced the San Francisco Community Investment Fund was awarded $45 million in New Markets Tax Credit allocation to support private investment in non-profits and businesses that directly serve San Francisco’s most economically distressed, low-income communities. 

“We must ensure that the city’s emerging non-profits and businesses secure the financing they need to succeed to build and serve our communities,” said Mayor Lee. “These tax credits allow these businesses and nonprofits to start, stay, and grow in San Francisco and create local jobs and opportunities that help our city thrive.”